How to Practice Trauma-Informed Communication

May 21, 2021 | Sexual Abuse

Thanks to Victoria Pickering (Director of Advocacy) & Tyler Lumpkin (Coordinator of Education) from MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault), we took our commitment to helping victims and survivors of sexual abuse to a new level. To improve the work we do with survivors on a regular basis, we needed to make sure our interactions with survivors were done in a way that allows them to feel safe while telling their story.

Trauma-Informed Training

The trauma is the whole process, not just the event itself. Thanks to MOCSA, we were presented with practical skills and wonderful insights. Did you know that due to the prevalence of sexual abuse in our society, almost everyone is in contact with someone who has been affected by sexual violence, whether directly or indirectly? Unfortunately, we may just not be aware of it. Therefore, we want to share some of the information we obtained from our training in hopes to encourage and educate others about the importance of being trauma-informed.

Call Monsees & Mayer today at (816) 361-5555 with any questions. We are here to help. 

What is Sexual Violence?

In order to better understand trauma, we must first find an understanding of sexual violence and sexual abuse. Often in the world of advocacy, the terms “sexual violence” and “sexual abuse” are used interchangeably as umbrella terms for a varying degree of sexually violent and abusive acts. “Sexual violence” and “sexual abuse” can be used to refer to:

The 3 Lenses To Use When Reviewing Sexual Violence

Trauma-Informed

View the situation from their point of view – It is important to try and view the situation from the victim/survivor’s point of view. You must realize that their current behavior will be dramatically impacted due to the violence they have endured. Everyone responds to trauma differently and we can tailor our support to their individual needs.

Re-traumatization cannot be avoided – No matter how hard you try to avoid it, re- traumatization will happen. There will be a trigger that sets off a memory. All you can do is to provide a safe place for survivors when their trauma resurfaces during their recollection of events.

Victim-Centered

Focus on the needs and concerns of the survivor – It is important that the needs and concerns of the survivor be the top priority. Creating a safe and empowering environment for survivors will contribute to their safety and well-being when they are disclosing events and seeking help. This allows the survivor to have a voice in the process.

Offender-Focused

Focus on the offender’s behavior – Throughout the questions and interactions with victims of sexual violence, the main focus should be taking into account what we know about the offender. This can be accomplished by focusing on the offender’s actions and behaviors during the events, rather than questioning the victim about the way in which they themselves acted during the events. Focusing on the offender’s behaviors will provide an opportunity to broaden the scope of the investigation beyond solely what the victim has experienced.

What Is Trauma and Trauma-Informed Communication? 

When assisting a survivor of sexual violence, it is helpful to look at the situation through a lens that MOCSA refers to as “Trauma-Informed.” To do this, we need a better grasp on the meaning of trauma and the ways in which it affects victims and survivors.

According to the research and information provided to us by MOCSA, trauma:

  • Can be defined as a deeply distressing or disturbing experience
  • Is not only a mental and emotional response, but it is a physical experience and reaction as well
  • Can physically change our brain
    • Triggers chemicals within our brain and our body that influence perception, reaction, and memory
    • Traumatic memories can become fragmented and stored in our brains differently than those of a non-traumatic experience

Trauma-Informed communication is an approach to, and understanding of, successful engagement with survivors of trauma as they navigate these difficult times. It also involves understanding the impact of trauma on physical, emotional, and mental health as well as how it effects behaviors and their engagement with offered support. Through Trauma-Informed communication, thoughtful discourse can take place with an emphasis on helping survivors.

Knowing How To Use Trauma-Informed Communication Helps

An important aspect of being trauma-informed is knowing how to better communicate and interact with victims and survivors of sexual violence. Here are some tips that we have learned through our training with MOCSA:

1. Start where the victim is!

It is important to understand where the victim/survivor is mentally, emotionally, and physically. We need to understand that they have endured an extremely traumatic event, and we need to hold ourselves and others accountable and approach them and their experience with understanding, respect, and non-judgment.

2. Talk with the survivor, do not interrogate!

When disclosing such a hurtful and deeply traumatic experience, victims and survivors need listening ears and a safe environment. It is important that they are safe and do not feel threatened or interrogated when reporting the events and seeking assistance. This takes immense amounts of courage, and it is never easy for survivors to talk about and relive the experiences, known as re-traumatization.

3. Give the victim/survivor choice!

Rather than assuming that we know what is best for the victim or survivor, ask them how they would like to proceed in the matter. Give them the option to choose what they feel is best for them at that moment. Assisting victims and survivors through a traumatic experience is not a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Each individual has unique wants and needs that must be taken into account every step of the way. Instead of assuming their wants and needs, ask how you can support them through.

4. Refrain from asking “Why?”

When a victim of sexual violence or sexual abuse is disclosing the events to you, refrain from asking questions regarding WHY they were at the place they were or WHY they were around the perpetrator. This is very harmful language, and it assumes the responsibility of the crime is on the victim rather than the offender. The victim does not have to justify their actions and whereabouts for us to understand the “cause” of the assault. Questions should remain “offender-focused” as much as possible. The questions should be based on the actions and the behaviors of the offender, as the offender is the one who committed sexual violence against the victim and should hold the responsibility for the events that occurred.

As a firm who works diligently to assist victims and survivors of sexual violence and sexual abuse, Monsees & Mayer P.C. takes great pride in the education and awareness that MOCSA has shared with us. We are thankful to have had this opportunity to work with such a great organization, and cannot express enough gratitude to MOCSA for providing our team with an abundance of information to better serve our community. We are proud to say that Monsees & Mayer P.C. is Trauma-Informed.

Helpful Information For Trauma-Informed Communication

MOCSA Crisis Line

“MOCSA’s mission is to improve the lives of those impacted by sexual abuse and assault and prevent sexual violence in our community.” MOCSA has a variety of services ranging from advocacy, counseling, education, legal assistance, and a crisis line. MOCSA’s crisis line is available in both Missouri and Kansas for individuals needing help. It can be reached at 816- 531-0233 or 913-642-0233. However, even though it is called a crisis line, it is for anyone who may have questions, need emotional support, or may simply need information or a referral. Calls are answered 24 hours a day in multiple languages.

Sexual Assault Forensic Exams

Unfortunately, not all hospitals are equipped to perform exams for sexual assault and rape. Many Missouri hospitals simply do not have the certified staff required to conduct the exams. Luckily, the Kansas City metro area has nearly 30 hospitals where a survivor can receive a forensic exam with a MOCSA advocate by their side, including:

Trauma-Informed Communication FAQs

How can I best use trauma-informed communication in my daily life?

Any and all interactions using Trauma-Informed communication should be survivor centered. What this means is that the systemic focus of communication should be on the needs and concerns of the survivor. Their safety and wellbeing should be at the forefront of any interaction. By focusing on the wrong committed by the assailant and the trauma the survivor experienced, problems such as victim-blaming can be avoided.

What steps should be taken during trauma-informed communication?

First, start by believing the survivor. Allow them the option to have an advocate present, such as those provided by MOCSA. Mirror the language of the survivor. In order to best support survivors during their ordeal, it is crucial to listen intently to what they have to say. Try to limit the number of times the survivor must repeat, and subsequently remember, their traumatic experience. Refrain from victim-blaming and remain nonjudgmental throughout your communication.

With these steps in mind, we can listen to survivors of sexual abuse and provide them to the help they deserve.

Reed Martens

Reed Martens

Position: Shareholder

Office: Kansas City

Reed Martens is a skilled trial attorney and relentless advocate for victims of sexual abuse and personal injury. His ability to secure favorable verdicts and settlements has made him a trusted name in the courtroom, where he has successfully tried cases as both lead and co-counsel.

*This blog post is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney–client relationship. While Monsees & Mayer strives to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, laws and legal interpretations are subject to change. Content on this site may not always reflect the most current legal developments. For advice regarding your specific situation, please contact Monsees & Mayer directly.

Our Proven Results

Witness Statements As Critical Evidence

Witness statements provide crucial evidence to support claims of sexual abuse. They help establish a timeline of events, reveal details about the abuse, and identify potential suspects. However, witness testimony must be carefully evaluated for accuracy and reliability.

Interviewing witnesses promptly after the alleged abuse is reported maximizes the chance of obtaining an accurate statement. As time passes, memories can fade or become distorted. Witnesses should be interviewed separately to avoid influencing each other’s recollections.

Look for witnesses who were present around the time of the alleged abuse and may have observed interactions between the victim and suspect or noticed signs of distress. Teachers, caregivers, family members or neighbors are examples. Their statements can corroborate the victim’s account and provide additional details.

Evaluate witness credibility by considering factors like:
  • Their relationship to the victim and suspect. Unbiased third parties may provide more objective testimony.
  • Consistency of statements over time. Contradictions may indicate unreliability.
  • Vested interests that could motivate false testimony. Look for witnesses with no obvious agenda.
  • Their opportunity to observe relevant events. Statements from those frequently with the victim and suspect are more credible.
  • Age, mental state, sobriety and other factors that could impact perception or memory.

Compare witness statements to look for both consistencies and inconsistencies in the details. Consistencies increase reliability while inconsistencies should be explored further. Witness testimony, combined with other evidence like medical reports, can provide persuasive support for claims of abuse. However, no single piece of evidence should be viewed as definitive proof. A preponderance of consistent and collaborative evidence is needed to substantiate such serious allegations.

How Cell Phone Data Can Provide Crucial Proof

Digital evidence from cell phones should be interpreted carefully, as there are limitations. Data can be imprecise or misleading, and records may be unavailable or incomplete. However, when used properly, cell phone data provides an objective, factual record that supports or refutes claims made by involved parties. In sexual abuse claims where evidence is often scarce, cell phone data can make a critical difference. By triangulating data from multiple sources, investigators can build a compelling timeline of events to support charges and secure a conviction.

Call Detail Records

Call detail records (CDRs) provide the date, time and duration of calls and messages. CDRs are useful for establishing communication patterns between individuals, especially around the time of the alleged offense. An abrupt change in calling behavior could indicate a significant event occurred. CDRs may also reveal the locations of the cell towers accessed during a call, providing further location details.

Cell Towers

Cell phones constantly transmit data to cell towers, which creates digital records that provide location information. This data, obtained through a search warrant, can reveal where individuals were during key points in time.

Cell Site Location Information

Cell site location information (CSLI) pinpoints which cell tower was accessed by a phone at a given date and time. Although not precise, CSLI can narrow down someone’s location to a few city blocks. By analyzing records over time, investigators can track the general path a person traveled. CSLI is often used to corroborate or challenge statements made by victims, witnesses or suspects regarding their whereabouts.

Precision Location Information

More advanced technologies like precision location information (PLI) rely on GPS and Wi-Fi to identify a phone’s location within a few meters. PLI produces a nearly minute-by-minute account of where a phone has been, providing critical evidence for timelines of events. However, legal access to PLI typically requires a search warrant due to privacy concerns.

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Difference Between a Civil and Criminal Sexual Abuse Case

There is a difference between a criminal and civil liability case within the justice system. Criminal liability is brought against an individual(s) by the state or federal government in order to protect society, while civil liability is all about the survivor. The attorneys at Monsees & Mayer, P.C. advocate exclusively for survivors.

Criminal Courts

The criminal courts are entirely about the criminal; in this case, the sexual abuser. Cases are handled by a prosecuting attorney, and the purpose of the proceedings is to impose fines or prison sentences upon the abuser.

While some restitution or financial compensation may be awarded to the survivor, the criminal courts are a poor avenue through which to pursue it. This is because the purpose of criminal courts is to protect society as a whole, rather than advocate for individuals’ rights.

The criminal system’s standard of proof is “beyond a reasonable doubt”; in other words, an individual can only be convicted of a crime if the jury is certain the abuser is guilty. Because of this, there are many morally culpable people who escape criminal liability because of this doubt in proof.

Civil Courts

The civil justice system is all about helping sexual assault survivors. Cases are handled by civil attorneys, and the purpose is to obtain compensation for the survivors of sexual abuse. The survivor can seek compensation for the damages they incurred as a result of the sexual abuse: depression, loss of self-esteem or relationships, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), lost income and earnings capacity, medical expenses, and frequently, a lifetime of emotional distress.

The civil system’s standard of proof is relaxed compared to that of the criminal side. The survivor must prove their case by a “preponderance of the evidence.”  In simpler terms, the jury must “believe” the survivor’s case is more likely true than not; the scales must be tipped slightly in their favor. Therefore, even if an abuser escapes punishment in the criminal courts, they can still be punished within the civil court system.

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